Concordia students will sleep on the streets to raise money for charity

From March 11 to 16, 24 universities from 18 cities across Canada will be participating in this year’s 5 Days for the Homeless campaign. For five consecutive days, students will live “homeless” on campus in order to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and to solicit donations for local charities. The students will make sacrifices, such as giving up access to showers, clean clothes and disposable income in order to make their community a better place. Each participating university will forward the proceeds of the campaign to local non-profit organizations that provide essential services to homeless youth in their cities.

Concordia University, HEC at the Université de Montreal, McGill and ESG at UQAM will be joining forces for another year to raise awareness and much needed funds for  Dans La Rue, to help get kids off the street and back on their feet.

Montreal’s campaign kicks off at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 at an opening ceremony in McGill’s Bronfman Building (1001 Sherbrooke West). Liberal MP, Marc Garneau and one of the directors of local charity, Dans La Rue will address the attendees.

Guest sleepers are invited to show their solidarity by joing the participating students on the streets. Former NHLer Georges Laraque and Liberal MP, Denis Coderre will be sleeping alongside the Concordia participants this year on the corner of Mackay and de Maisonneuve West.

The wrap-up to the campaign will take place at a Saint Patrick's Day Irish brunch event at Reggie’s, in Concordia’s Hall building, on Sunday March 18.

5 Days for the Homeless started at the University of Alberta in 2005 and spread nationally in 2008. Concordia alumnus, Joshua Redler, who has participated since 2008, will be among the participants once again this year. "Experiencing firsthand what it's like to sleep on the streets of downtown Montreal is a real eye opener,” he says. “Not having a place to call home and not knowing where your next meal is coming from truly puts homeless life into perspective, even if it's only for five days. We can all make a difference in our communities, even if it's a small contribution. If I inspire only a few more people to take the initiative, I feel I have done my part.”

Since its inception, 5 Days for the Homeless has raised over $750,000 nation-wide for local homeless charities. The overall success of the campaign is due to the support of the regular Canadians, as well as the generosity of the media and local businesses.

The national organizing committee would like to invite all Canadians and the media to, once again, show their support for this worthy cause by making donations online at 5days.ca or directly to participants on the streets.

To purchase tickets ($20) for the Saint Patrick's Day Irish brunch event, contact .

How to Donate

Contributions can be made in person to the 5 Day for the Homeless volunteers wearing the signature orange T-shirts at the corner of Mackay and de Maisonneuve. All donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt. For information on the campaign or to donate online please visit 5days.ca/montreal.

Guest Sleepers

This year's guest sleepers include:

• Georges Laraque, Former NHL Player
• Denis Coderre, Liberal MP
• Mahesh Sharma, Associate Professor at JMSB
• Ramona Senecal, Undergraduate Receptionist at JMSB